10 Ways to Go Green in Your Kitchen

Reducing your carbon footprint while cooking doesn’t have to mean making major changes

Bambeco

This list of green-approved gadgets makes it easy to reduce your carbon footprint in the kitchen.

If you took a look around your home, you could probably pinpoint at least 10 things in plain sight that you know aren’t exactly environmentally friendly. There are countless reports on how modern conveniences are destroying our planet: our cars emit harmful greenhouse gases, electronics contain hazardous materials, and plastics’ chemicals can work their way into the ecosystem, harming not only ourselves but our furry friends, as well.

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But caring for the Earth doesn’t mean you have to abandon all of the comforts of modern living, or go out and buy hemp clothing and install a recycled outhouse in your yard. To reduce your carbon footprint, you just have to make informed choices, and what better place to start making changes than in the most important room in the house: your kitchen.

Small, unremarkable changes in your kitchen can make a huge difference. Using an energy-efficient dishwasher will save you, on average, 5,000 gallons of water (plus 230 hours of your time) annually, instead of washing by hand, according to the EPA. Between 1960 and 2007, Americans’ daily waste deposits doubled from 2.7 to 4.6 pounds, so rather than throw your waste down the garbage disposal, use a compost to help manage your food scraps. And don’t damage the air just to clean your kitchen clean — use EPA-approved products for cleaning, instead of hazardous cleaners that compromise air quality.

You don’t have to make major changes to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle in your kitchen. By making a few minor adjustments, you'll be cooking up dishes in your kitchen that would make Mother Nature proud. Check out our list to see how you can start your green kitchen revival.